Modern lifestyles combine indoor and outdoor living. When entertaining at home with family and friends one of most enjoyable for us is sitting around outside and enjoying a summer BBQ. A backyard or outdoor living space does not need to be an expensive affair, read on for some simple way to update your outdoor living space that creates a warm and relaxed environment.
1. Clean
Before you begin, clear everything off of your deck or patio and give it a good pressure wash. If it needs re staining, all the new furniture in the world won’t help if you have a dusty and dirty environment. Clean all windows, BBQ and tables and chairs, it is surprising how well and outdoor space will look and feel with a simple wipe down to remove dust and cobwebs.
2. Colour
The easiest way to jazz up your outdoor deck or patio is by using splashes of color. Sometimes it only means investing in a few accent pieces that make a bold statement and your outdoor living space perks right up.
You don’t always have to buy new with a little elbow grease and some creativity you can make second hand items look brand new. If needed, bite the bullet and give old and outdated furniture a new coat of stain or paint. This is actually a great place to get started with colorful accents.
3. Furniture
Decks are for socializing, so show that you are ready for company. The addition of metal furniture is inexpensive and comes in lots of great colors. Place a colorful bar cart in the corner and load it up with bright acrylic glassware.
4. Themes
Create a theme for your outdoor space. This helps keep consistency with styling. For example a theme such as the seashore, by incorporating fishes, sea shells and beach balls in your accents or stencils. A citrus theme works well by using pale greens, oranges and yellow as colors for chairs or bistro tables.
5. Paint
Give your old wicker furniture a facelift by painting it in bright sunny colors, or if you’re feeling adventuress, use a stencil and add flowers or other patterns. Just use acrylic paint, but seal it with varnish to protect your paint job.
Get a hold of a galvanized bucket or oblong container, paint it bright blue or orange and add a vine pattern on the outside. Voilà, now you have a fancy ice-bucket for all your coolers. Remember, unless you’re using a food-safe paint, the surface should not come in direct contact with food.
Try painting your fence posts a bright, coordinating color such as teal. Or paint a pattern or border around the edge of your deck.
Try painting a slatted table top with two or three different corresponding shades.
6. Lighting
Funky lighting goes a long way to perking up a patio area. Colorful lanterns or strings of lights can be hung from overhanging trees or beams providing a fun, economical source of lighting.
7. Zones
Giving your outdoor space separated areas or zones. For example seperate your dining area with a lounge space. Having these distinct area, gives your guests somewhere to relax after the meal
8. Accessories
Who says garden sheds have to be brown and boring. Add colorful window boxes, gingerbread trim and some wild stripes on the walls.
What to do with furniture that’s still in great shape? Not to worry. A simple way to update is to style with some cushions in your new theme can make your old table and chairs look brand new.
Using color wisely by tying everything together with your accessories. Take four chairs each painted in a different primary color and add a cushion in a common color such as red or green, and place them around a neutral table top.
9. Plants
Plants are a great way to jazz up your outdoor space.
10. Candles
Nothing creates an ambience like candles. You could create a beautiful table centre piece with a candle decoration. Candle are an affordable way to bring warmth and feeling to the environment. Citronella candles are also a nice way to keep away pesky insects such as mosquitoes. Alternatively you could make your own candle using oranges, lemons, lavender, or basil scents and these naturally produce oils that repel mozzies.
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